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WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year and domestic violence has seen a tremendous spike in incidents due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions keeping victims home with their abuser, possibly cutting them off from friends, relatives, crisis shelters and peers; and,
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WHEREAS, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly half of college women in intimate relationships report experiencing physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse from a current or former partner; and,
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month focuses on sharing information that can help those who are experiencing violence. It is estimated that 38 percent of college students do not know how to get help for themselves and over 57 percent do not know how to recognize abuse ; and,
WHEREAS, in addition, college-age victims of dating violence are often hesitant to come forward because it may threaten his/her social reputation, the reputation of the aggressor, or they fear of retribution; and,
WHEREAS, beyond any social pressure, college-age victims are also sometimes forced to continue attending class alongside their abusers or even live in the same residence hall; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh would like college students to know that in addition to local and national resources, Pittsburgh colleges and universities, have Title IX offices to help any student who is experiencing dating violence; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize dating violence as a serious issue among college-age students and thank all Title IX offices in Pittsburgh colleges and universities for their work in protecting their students; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the month of October to be “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the City of Pittsburgh.